NHL January Outlook: Central Division

The National Hockey League has reached the All-Star break, with clubs pretty much knowing what they are and what they lack. With just five weeks to go before the trade deadline, league GMs are looking at what they can do to make their teams stronger for the stretch drive, but some clubs are still riding the wave of their early season success and hope to continue their progress down the stretch.

Here is a look at where things stand in the Central Division.

Biggest Success Or Surprise

Colorado Avalanche (9-3-0 in January – 1st Place in the Central)

The race for the top three spots in the Central has pretty much been static this entire month, with Colorado winning out with a 9-3-0 record barely over second-place Dallas at 8-4-2, and third-place Winnipeg at 8-3-1. This battle could stay that way through the balance of the season, with the division winner getting the big prize of not having to face one of the other two in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Dennis Green “They Are Who We Thought They Were” Award

Nashville Predators (6-6-0 in January – 5^th place in the Central)

The Predators missed the playoffs last season by three points, and this summer, new GM Barry Trotz made some big splashes in free agency to add some veteran character and defensive depth. At the All-Star break, Nashville is in a familiar spot, one point behind Los Angeles and St. Louis for one of the two wildcard spots.

Biggest Disappointment

Minnesota Wild (5-8-1 in January – 7th Place in the Pacific)

For a club that made the playoffs last season to only be ahead of a rebuilding Chicago club, it is embarrassing and disappointing at the same time. Despite changing head coaches from Dean Evason to John Hynes, Minnesota is seven points out of the last Western Conference playoff spot. GM Bill Guerin proclaimed that he is not selling before the trade deadline, but that might change if they fall behind by double digits before March 8.

January MVP

Nathan MacKinnon (COL) (25 points – 10 goals, 15 assists in 12 games)

Perhaps we should just retire this award for the season. MacKinnon led the NHL in January with 26 points (as he did in December), scoring 12 goals in 12 games, including five game-winners. The Avalanche are reportedly looking for help up the middle before the trade deadline, which makes MacKinnon’s accomplishments this season even more remarkable.